ASSISTANCE TO HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES.

(a) The comptroller shall seek the advice of the governor, legislature, and state agencies in identifying and developing opportunities for historically underutilized businesses.

(b) The comptroller shall offer historically underutilized businesses assistance and training regarding state procurement procedures.

(c) The comptroller shall advise historically underutilized businesses of available state contracts and shall advise historically underutilized businesses to apply for registration on the comptroller's master bidders list.

(d) The comptroller shall send historically underutilized businesses an orientation package on certification or recertification. The package shall include:

(1) a certificate issued in the historically underutilized business's name;

(2) a description of the significance and value of certification;

(3) a list of state purchasing personnel;

(4) information regarding electronic commerce opportunities;

(5) information regarding the Texas Marketplace website; and

(6) additional information about the state procurement process.

(e) A state agency with a biennial budget that exceeds $10 million shall designate a staff member to serve as the historically underutilized businesses coordinator for the agency during the fiscal year. The procurement director may serve as the coordinator. In agencies that employ a historically underutilized businesses coordinator, the position of coordinator, within the agency's structure, must be at least equal to the position of procurement director. In addition to any other responsibilities, the coordinator shall:

(1) coordinate training programs for the recruitment and retention of historically underutilized businesses;

(2) report required information to the comptroller; and

(3) match historically underutilized businesses with key staff within the agency.